Chapter 1474 - 1472: Is a Human Life Really That Short?
Chapter 1474: Chapter 1472: Is a Human Life Really That Short?
"Why?"
Shih Shaoling was somewhat curious.
Yue Er blurted out directly.
"That Duke Fuguo’s Mansion really thinks highly of themselves!"
"Back when my father was on the throne, I vaguely knew that my father was somewhat dissatisfied with the Lv Family!"
"But at that time, their family hadn’t made any major mistakes, and due to the respect my grandfather had back in the day, my father never acted!"
"Now it seems, my Imperial Brother is even more straightforward than my father!"
It’s no wonder my father was so assured to hand over the kingdom to my Imperial Brother; indeed, the green surpasses the blue!
Yue Er laughed at the end.
Shih Shaoling didn’t say anything more, just looked at her tenderly.
He tucked her feet into soft socks, cleaned his hands, and began to brush her hair.
The Imperial Physician said that frequent hair brushing for pregnant women helps relieve emotions.
So as soon as he had a moment, he’d pick up the delicate little silver comb to brush her waist-length hair.
At this time, Yue Er would comfortably curl up on the couch like a docile cat.
Letting his hands, rough with calluses, awkwardly grasp the delicate comb to brush her hair.
The sunlight of April and May was still not too scorching, fragmented into pieces by the sparse leaves outside the window before falling inside.
Yue Er slightly squinted her eyes, her thick, long eyelashes casting a shadow on her cheeks.
Her skin was white and tender, her long hair smooth and silky, and her whole being was immersed in gentle sunlight and deep affection, beautiful like a painting.
...
Time passed day by day.
The due date for the Fourth Princess was approaching, and the servants at the Princess’s Mansion were increasingly tense.
Even the Shi Mansion was no exception.
Although the princess was unlikely to use the things in the mansion, Madam Shi was still constantly preparing.
She had experienced it, knew that childbirth for women meant stepping one foot into the gates of hell, and besides, she felt for the princess with her mother not by her side.
Afraid she might be scared, Madam Shi frequently visited her.
But every time she went, the princess’s attitude was distant.
Later, seeing that the Empress Dowager had sent several experienced Sisters to be by her side, Madam Shi was relieved.
But she still had some private doubts.
’Speaking of which, the Taishang Huang and Empress Dowager have always adored the princess, why wouldn’t they return for the princess’s childbirth this time?’
Such matters were not for her to handle, so she only dared to mutter to herself.
Unexpectedly, she hadn’t been puzzling for a few days before news came from the Princess’s Mansion.
The Taishang Huang and Empress Dowager had already returned to the Capital City and were residing at the Princess’s Mansion.
The Empress Dowager also brought along more than ten midwifery Sisters, even preparing a wet nurse.
Madam Shi felt even more assured and chuckled bitterly.
"I really have become a hands-off manager now!"
Though having her grandson esteemed by the Taishang Huang was a good thing.
But as a grandmother being ’kept outside the door,’ sometimes it was indeed quite disappointing to think about.
But what could be done, for her grandson was the Taishang Huang’s maternal grandson, after all.
The current Senior Princess is his mother, and the current Emperor is his direct uncle.
Even Old Master Lian would find it difficult to play the role of grandfather in front of their grandson, let alone herself.
Every time Madam Shi thought of this, her feelings were mixed, a blend of joy and sorrow.
...
Come May.
As everyone was fully prepared.
The Imperial Physician, midwifery Sisters, midwives, wet nurses, maids, etc., were all in place.
Yet Yue Er’s belly showed no sign of movement.
Seven or eight days had passed beyond the estimated date given by the Imperial Physician, and the little one in her belly remained peaceful.
Yue Er continued eating and sleeping without a hint of readiness to give birth.
Xia Ruqing found it both funny and frustrating, taking her daughter’s hand to ask.
"Were you slacking off during the pregnancy, not going out for strolls properly?"
Yue Er glanced out the window, feeling guilty.
"I’m not lazy!"
It’s just that someone was managing her strictly, not letting her go out much.
Xia Ruqing held her daughter’s swollen, smooth ankle worriedly.
"You say you’re not lazy, but look at how swollen it is!"
"And your face, it’s gotten quite chubby!"
She added another line.
"When I was pregnant with you, I didn’t get so chubby!"
Unable to withstand her mother’s nagging, Yue Er tugged at her sleeve playfully.
"Mother, you’re still talking!"
"When other children are born, the mother is always there to guide and accompany them. But I had nothing!"
"You never came back to see me!"
"And besides, I haven’t gotten that chubby, yet you complain right when you come back!"
Xia Ruqing looked at her daughter’s pitiful appearance, her heart melting into a puddle.
In fact.
How can a pregnant woman not gain weight?
She remembered those superstar mothers on TV in her past life, their pregnancies and childbirth seemed like fun, only the stomach grew, nowhere else did, how good they looked!
She used to envy them, but now thinking about it, how could that be possible?
Pregnancy and childbirth are natural instincts for women, storing fat to deal with survival crises and breastfeeding is also a mother’s instinct.
How could anyone not gain weight?
She touched her daughter’s slightly fuller cheeks, soothingly said.
"It’s okay, it’s normal for you to gain a little weight!"
"I should praise Shih Shaoling!"
He’s raised my daughter to be healthy and plump; well done, young man.
Yue Er blushed and let go of her mother’s sleeve.
"Mother, what are you saying!"
Xia Ruqing chuckled and touched her hair.
"Alright, alright, I’m just joking!"
"You are a part of me; I cherish you too much to find fault with you!"
"Don’t forget, you are the only precious daughter your father and I have!"
Yue Er giggled.
"Now that’s more like it!"
Mother and daughter instantly reconciled, happily chatting about other matters.
Yue Er said, Mother, after you and father left, many things happened in the Capital City.
Yue Er also said, my brother is a great Emperor, father indeed chose the right person.
Yue Er added, father and mother, I really miss you, and envy you.
Xia Ruqing listened with a smile until the end.
She also said, in a bustling place like Capital City, countless things happen in a day, strange things aren’t unusual.
She also said, Chenchen raised by the Emperor himself looks excellent on the surface, but the hard work and efforts behind the scenes, only he knows.
She concluded.
Yue Er, good child, you can do well too.
"Mother doesn’t ask for you to achieve great things, or even to have a life full of floral beauty; I just want you to freely and happily live through this brief life!"
Yue Er still didn’t quite understand.
Looking at her mother’s wind and sun-worn, slightly rough cheeks, she questioned.
"Mother, is a person’s life really short?"
Xia Ruqing gently raised her head, looking at the lush leaves outside the window, and nodded.
"Yes, it is quite short!"
In the blink of an eye, half a lifetime has passed.
She remembered the first time she met him, the leaves on the trees were just as lush, and it seemed... in the same season.
...
Just as Xia Ruqing sank into her memories, Yue Er suddenly cried out, pulling her thoughts back.
"I... my belly hurts!"
Xia Ruqing’s brow jumped, and she quickly went out to call for help.
"Quickly, someone, the princess is about to give birth!"